Applications for Reciprocal Exchange Component Now Open
The application for the 2026 Reciprocal Exchange component is now open. U.S. professionals and Fellowship Alumni are eligible. Applications are due September 19, 2025.
Learn MoreApplications for Alumni PDEs Now Open
The application for the 2026 Alumni Professional Development Experience (PDE) is now open. Applications are due September 3, 2025.
Learn More2025 Mandela Washington Fellows Arrive in the United States
The U.S. Department of State and IREX are pleased to welcome the 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders cohort to the United States.
Learn MoreMeet the 2025 Catalyst Grant Winner
Amadou Abdou Mahamadou Salissou, a 2024 Fellowship Alumnus and energy entrepreneur from Niger, is the 2025 Winner of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Catalyst Grant.
Learn MoreU.S. Educational Institutions to Host Mandela Washington Fellows
26 U.S. educational institutions in 21 states will host Leadership Institutes for 650 young African leaders in summer 2025.
Learn MoreABOUT US
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Established in 2014, the Fellowship has brought nearly 7,800 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States for academic and leadership training. The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished innovators and leaders in their communities and countries.
Learn MoreBUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX.
Program Impact
-
49
?Sub-Saharan African CountriesFellows have come from all 49 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. -
7,800
?Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni NetworkSince 2014, nearly 7,800 Fellowship Alumni have completed the program. -
87,000
?Hours of Support Dedicated to U.S. CommunitiesSince 2014, Fellows have dedicated more than 87,000 hours to support U.S. communities during their Leadership Institutes. -
2,400
?U.S. Companies and Organizations EngagedSince 2014, the Fellowship has engaged approximately 2,400 institutions from the private, nonprofit, governmental, and multilateral sectors across the United States during Institutes, PDEs, Reciprocal Exchanges, and the Summit.
Stories
Following the completion of their in-person Professional Development Experiences (PDEs) in September 2023, Mandela Washington Fellows had the option to continue collaborating with their Host Organizations after returning home through...
View All StoriesNews
News
Applications for 2026 Reciprocal Exchange Component Now Open
August 25, 2025
News
Applications for Alumni PDEs Now Open
August 13, 2025
Learn more about the Mandela Washington Fellowship!
“I believe that the Mandela Washington Fellowship has made me a stronger and better leader and has challenged me to think outside the box… There can only be more, bigger, and better to come from me, my fellow Fellows, and the continent of Africa as a whole.”
– Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumna
Fellowship Directory
Including Fellows, Reciprocal Exchange Participants, and U.S. Partners
Explore Fellowship Directory